Pickering councillor concerned by airport wording in federal budget

Document suggests airport consultation will focus on business community

PICKERING -- This week’s federal budget includes only a small reference to the Pickering airport issue -- but a local councillor says the wording speaks volumes.

The document notes more than 600 public submissions have been received and says the government plans to hold a series of stakeholder roundtables in the coming months “to ensure development benefits local businesses.”

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles says that suggests only business stakeholders will be included.

“That’s a good step, but it doesn’t seem to include the broad consultation we’re looking for,” he said. “They shouldn’t just be talking to people who support an airport about the benefits of an airport, they should be talking to everyone.”

Last June Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that the government will earmark about 8,700 acres of federally owned land in north Pickering for an airport, while 5,000 acres will be set aside for the creation of the Rouge National Urban Park.

Another 4,900 acres will be used for “regional economic development.”

On Jan. 27 Pickering council unanimously supported a motion from Coun. Pickles that calls for an “open and transparent” process around the proposed airport.

Coun. Pickles said its unlikely the feds had a chance to review the motion from Pickering before the federal budget came down, and is hopeful that the consultation process will be broadened.